Move your WordPress Blog to another host or server in 10 easy steps

Last week I moved this WordPress based blog to HostGator. Moving the blog to a new host service is usually a delayed decision for most people. This is mainly because of the fear of loosing data, potential downtime, lack of technical knowledge and even worries about the new service’ quality. Many times, people pay a lot more for renewing their current hosting services than switching to a cheap hosting that offer better service due the above worries.

Moving your WordPress blog is no rocket science and it is so damn easy if you follow the steps given below.

10 Simple steps to transfer WordPress to new Server or Host

Step #1 Prepare the new host space

Create a directory on your new hosting space where your blog has to be moved to. If your new host supports multiple domain hosting, you might want to add an addon domain using the cPanel. As much as possible, try to use the same directory name as your existing blog installation directory in order to simplify the moving process.

Step #2 Do a fresh WordPress installation

Now use your new host’s cPanel Fantastico tool (or the famous 5 minute install) to do a fresh WordPress installation.

You have to make sure that:

The new WordPress release version is the same or higher than your current WP release

Use the same admin panel login & password as your current installation, to simplify things

Visit your new blog installation using the ‘Blog address (URL)’ set above and make sure that the new WordPress installation (without your posts and theme) works fine. In order to avoid any accidental overwriting, you may want to keep a backup of your new wp-config.php in a safe place.

Step #3 Upgrade your current WordPress installation, if needed

From Step #2, if you installed a newer release of WordPress on your new host, make sure that your current WordPress installation is upgraded to that release via the standard upgrade process. It is better to complete the upgrade activities on your current playing field than on a new server and host. After the upgrade make sure that your upgraded WordPress blog and all your plugins work fine

(This step can be avoided if you decide to keep the target (new) WordPress release the same as your current one from Step #2. But this may not be possible when you use)

Step #4 Backup your current wp-content directory

Use your favorite FTP program (like the free FileZilla FTP tool) to backup the whole wp-content directory. In addition, you have to backup your robot.txt, wp-config.php and .htaccess files. Backup any other folders (e.g. download, temp, junk etc) and files that you might have created as well.

Step #5 Backup your current WordPress database

Use a tool such as phpMyAdmin (mostly available in your cPanel) to export your current WordPress database. Do not use the export feature in your WordPress admin panel as this would not take all your current settings but only the content (basically posts, pages, comments etc).

While using phpMyAdmin export, please make sure that you select:

All your WordPress tables and SQL as the Export option

Add DROP TABLE/VIEW/PROCEDURE/FUNCTION option

Save as File

Now, when you hit ‘Go’ you will be prompted to save the database backup file on to your disk.

About this Blog & Blogger

I am Ajith Edassery, an Internet Marketer from Bangalore. I quit my High-paid job in the Software Industry to pursue Blogging, Internet Marketing and other Home-based money making opportunities. Read more...